ABO Wind, a renewable energy developer, is making strides in Spain with the construction of a groundbreaking solar farm set within the confines of a former nuclear power plant. The Valdezorita solar farm, situated in the Yebra municipality of Castilla La-Mancha, marks a significant milestone as the company's premier turnkey project in Spain.
With a nominal output of approximately 50MW and an estimated annual production of 100GWh, the Valdezorita solar farm boasts 87,000 modules spread across a ground-mounted photovoltaic system. Construction commenced in January, progressing steadily as planned, with the installation of mounting systems and panels slated for the upcoming summer. The plant is anticipated to be fully operational by early 2025.
Patricia Comes Salvador, Managing Director of ABO Energy España and spearhead of the Spanish project development, expressed pride in the project's swift evolution. “Our project team has developed this large project in a relatively short period of time over the past four years,” Salvador stated. She highlighted the collaborative efforts with local stakeholders, emphasizing the project's positive economic impact on the rural community through significant contracts awarded to Spanish subcontractors.
The grid capacity allocation for the Valdezorita solar farm reflects a strategic consideration of socioeconomic and environmental benefits for the region affected by the closure of the former nuclear plant. Environmental stewardship remains a priority, with various measures underway, including the marking and radio tracking of indigenous eagles and habitat enhancements for steppe birds.
Notably, the Valdezorita solar farm stands as ABO Wind's most significant endeavor to date utilizing tracker technology, optimizing panel orientation to maximize solar yield.
Financing for the project, totaling a double-digit million-euro investment, was secured through collaboration with the German KfW bank and DAL Deutsche Anlagen-Leasing. Additionally, ABO Wind secured a long-term pay-as-produced Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a prominent international off taker.
